Dwarf rabbits are so cute and cuddly, making it easy for you to fall in love with them. Their small size makes them much easier to handle and oversee, unlike the bigger rabbits. They live longer than bigger breeds – another reason they are favorites as pets. Like most pet owners, Dwarf rabbit owners are often curious about how big they get. Factors like genetic mutation largely contribute to their growth. Also, poor feeding and nutrition in early developmental stages could cause dwarfism.
How Big Do Dwarf Rabbits Get?
Most Dwarf rabbits typically weigh between 1- 5pounds, depending on the breed. The mini rabbits usually weigh between 2 pounds to 2.5 pounds, while some breeds like the dwarf lop rabbit can weigh 5 pounds. Typically, a dwarf rabbit usually doesn’t weigh more than 5 pounds. Dwarf rabbits are always cherished and adorable due to their small size. The most common rabbit breed, Flemish Giant, can weigh up to 20 pounds, making it less desirable as a pet. People prefer the dwarfs as pets, especially those with limited spaces for keeping pets. In times past, those who bred rabbits majorly used them for food and clothing. It was not a common thing to keep rabbits as pets. Even though people still use rabbits for these purposes today, rabbit species like dwarf rabbits have changed the trend. People now see the possibility of keeping these adorable creatures as pets.
Different Dwarf Rabbit Breeds and their Sizes
As said earlier, dwarf rabbits vary in size, depending on the breed. But the maximum weight for a healthy dwarf rabbit, irrespective of the breed, shouldn’t be more than 5 pounds. Let us consider some dwarf rabbit breeds and their weights:
Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit
The Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit can be traced well to the wild, as its origin, even though it went into extinction at some point. Its weight is usually nothing more than 1 pound, making it one of the smallest dwarf rabbit breeds.
Jersey Wooly Rabbit
The Jersey wooly rabbits have short and perfect ears, usually with a soft coat. They tend to be very calm and caring, making them the best for first-time pet owners. The adults are usually muscular and weigh around 1-3 pounds. They often live for about 6-9 years before they die.
Britannia Petite Rabbit
Britannia petite rabbits usually possess short and erect ears. These dwarf rabbit breeds aren’t ones to be kept in a tight space because they are very energetic, and if you must keep them as pets, you have to make provisions for a place where they can jump around easily. Their weight usually ranges from 1½ pounds to 2½ pounds. They have soft fur and most times come in white or grey color.
Netherlands Dwarf Rabbit
Full-grown adults weigh nothing more than 2.5 pounds. The Netherlands dwarf rabbit is a very popular breed, taking its origin from its name, Netherlands. It usually comes with a lot of color variations.
Dwarf Hotot Rabbit
The Dwarf Hotot rabbits were first bred in the year 1902. They are characterized by their white fur and dark eyes. Their eyes look much more bulging and bigger due to the color contrast. A typical adult Dwarf Hotot rabbit weighs nothing more than 3 pounds at most. It tends to become overweight if it doesn’t exercise well enough.
Miniature Cashmere Lop Rabbit
When you see this breed, you first notice their long and soft coats. They also possess long ears with curved-looking wide heads. They are a very popular breed. A full-grown adult usually weighs about 3.5 pounds.
Mini English Angora Rabbit
It is important to note that not all Angora rabbits are dwarfs – a good number of them are regular in size. Only some of them suffer from dwarfism. Before people considered them pets, they were majorly used to make sweaters due to their very soft and fluffy coats. Adults usually weigh about 3.5 pounds.
Dwarf Lionhead Rabbit
These rabbits look lion-like with the beautiful fur they possess. They also possess short and erect ears, making them more attractive to behold. The ears don’t grow above 7cm in length. Adults weigh around 3.75 pounds to 5 pounds. They typically lose much of their fur as they reach adulthood.
Dwarf Lop Rabbit
The dwarf lop rabbits have their origin in Australia and are specially adapted to the climate there. They are very easy-going dwarf rabbits and are very suitable as pets. Adults usually weigh between 4.5 pounds to 5 pounds on average.
Cage Size to Build for a Dwarf Rabbit
Certain factors determine the size of the cage you might want to build for your rabbits. Rabbits can be reared indoors or outdoors, depending on your choice. Hence, this will affect the size of the cage you should build for them. It is essential to build a cage that will allow room for exercise to prevent obesity.
